Bisbee is known for both azurite and malachite - ores and minerals of copper. However, actual copper is VERY rare from Bisbee compared to the copper minerals! Most of the copper was converted into secondary minerals long ago, and leaves no trace in and of itself. Copper has been found occasionally, it is true. Some few pockets of this strange sponge-like-style of malachite replacement of copper have been found over the 150 years of mining Bisbee, and it is even more uncommon yet. This piece actually shows the structure of the original copper that has been completely replaced by malachite. It is complete all around and displayable. From the former collection of Les Presmyk, Arizona collector/expert, with label; and a previous label from VH Minerals of Arizona, noting a prior collection # RC203.